Chelsea so nearly grabbed all three points against Liverpool in one of the most entertainingly end-to-end matches of recent months… but old boy Daniel Sturridge came on as a sub to score a wondergoal a minute from time to wipe out Eden Hazard’s first-half strike. Yet the eye-catching performance of the game was from
Chelsea so nearly grabbed all three points against Liverpool in one of the most entertainingly end-to-end matches of recent months… but old boy Daniel Sturridge came on as a sub to score a wondergoal a minute from time to wipe out Eden Hazard’s first-half strike.
Yet the eye-catching performance of the game was from midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who proved his worth alongside N’Golo Kante and Jorginho as the Reds showed just why they are one of the top tips of the season.
Two full-strength sides slugged it out at Stamford Bridge, with Mo Salah having the pick of the early chances before Hazard, driving down the left, let fly and saw the ball brush Alisson’s fingertips in the 26th minute before burying itself in the net.
The Blues played engrossing football; a mesmerising string of interlinked flicks and swift passes as they mounted fresh attacks, then regrouped to keep out Liverpool on the counter.
With Alvaro Morata coming on to replace Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute, Chelsea lost some of their edge. Liverpool clawed their way back into contention, although it wasn’t until Sturridge replaced James Milner in the dying minutes that they had their breakthrough.
Kepa, in the Chelsea goal, just couldn’t reach his long-range exquisitely flighted shot to make it 1-1.
